A truly Southern thought, gonna file this one away — “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string,” L.M. Montgomery. What beautiful expression of an ordinary day. I’ve been thinking about the pearls that have slipped off during my day — breakfast bagel eaten perched in the porch swing, the glorious flocks of songbirds, a porch visit with oldest brother, a phone call from oldest sister-in-law, Penelope kisses, macadamia nut cookies, squirrels on the birdbaths, a pint jar of sweet tea, a cup of coffee… I believe my necklace is strung too full and I’ve enjoyed every pearl that slid off the necklace’s string today.

Today was glorious with hot sunshine from a tropical blue sky canvas dotted with faint white feather clouds. I selfishly sat on the porch all day thinking the day was Saturday. Retirement has robbed me of day and time. The birds are singing praises, their symphonies blending in with the occasional soft notes of the wind chimes. The bluejays had a squabble sitting on the old oak’s branches. Made me think of the children’s book It’s Mine! by Leo Lionni. Sounded just like the bluejays were screeching, “It’s mine! It’s mine!” The brown magnolias chased each other down the street clicking head over heels as they tumbled away.

The squirrels have entertained me all day playing on the bird baths and frolicking around the trunk of the old oak. The squirrels stretch themselves tall on the bird baths surveying their territory, then they drink, their tail a perfect question mark. Emily Dickinson must have been a porch ponderer, too, watching the squirrels in her yard. She describes a squirrel perfectly in the first three stanzas of her poem, The Squirrel. “Whisky frisky, hippity hop, up he goes to the tree top! Whirly, twirly, round and round down he scampers to the ground. Furly, curly, what a tail! Tall as a feather, broad as a sail.”

We can really learn a few lessons from those little whimsical squirrels. They’re bold and aggressive, hard workers, seriously guarding their territory, furiously gathering their acorns for winter. Matthew 13:31-32 states, “God’s kingdom is like an acorn that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge oak tree, and eagles build nests it.”

We need to always be curious about the world in which we live. We don’t need to lose the childlike wonder that peaks our interest and imagination, making us marvel at the world’s beauty. We need to find time to watch the birds, the squirrels, the beauty of the sunsets and sunrises. We need to look after our family and friends, helping them on their journeys through life, being mindful of collecting memories and photographs. We need to learn how to play, learn how to be productive, learn how to plan for the future, how to save our acorns for rainy days.

Colossians 3:23-24 states, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” We also need to persevere and watch out for opportunities that come our way. Have goals and ambitions. Those little squirrels realized quickly they can hide away a cache of sunflowers seeds easily from the bird feeders.

The world is a glorious habitat but life is a struggle and we need our faith in God to help us along the way, especially when we have difficult times. Don’t give up. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”.

Our faith can keep our eyes on our destination. Watch a squirrel on a squirrel proof feeder. They never give up trying to access the seeds, they just keep trying. I know I’ve written this before, a squirrel is just a squirrel. He doesn’t try to change his world or change himself. He goes about his daily chores with all the energy of just being a squirrel.

“Just be who you want to be, not what others want to see,” Unknown. Maybe we can change this quote to “Just be who God wants you to be.” Success and happiness come from being ourselves, living our lives based on our values and our faith. A life full of joy allows you to live a life of purpose. Be true to yourself and let God be your guide to living a fulfilling life. We live our lives through the roles we play. I’m not sure we ever be just who we want to be. I think God wants us to live faithful and fruitful lives, serving him with pure hearts and clean minds. He wants us to live lives full of kindness to others.

We spend so much time worrying about what people think of us when in all actuality we don’t even cross their minds. We try to keep up appearances, making ourselves miserable. When we faithfully put our lives in God’s hands, he can show us through our faith who he wants us to be. We can lay our worries on his shoulders and know God will support us. He will give us the courage to be who we want to be. God will give us the confidence to be our true selves. It’s okay to be “just a squirrel.”

“The simple joy of a squirrel is a lesson in appreciating the small wonders of life.” — Unknown